Hi, I'm Randi

I am so excited to be on this journey with you! Who am I? I’m someone who LOVES learning! I love helping others learn (I’ve been teaching for over 20 years!) & I love being a learner.

I’m a Jersey Girl at heart who’s moved around a fair bit, teaching all the way. I called Texas home for over a decade, but returned to NJ a few years ago to be closer to family. Although I miss “Weird Austin”, TX BBQ, the gorgeous Hill Country & my walks around beautiful Lady Bird Lake, I’m thrilled to be back home. If you’re wondering where I am – check the beach!

You can also find me hanging out with friends & family, doing some yoga, curling up with my sweet kitty & a good book (or poring through children’s books – can this be considered a guilty pleasure?!), checking out what’s on HGTV, or bribing a drooling pooch with treats so she’ll let me take silly pictures of her:-)

Helping Others Learn

I currently work as an Elementary School Reading Specialist. I am certified as an Early Childhood & Elementary teacher, a Reading Specialist, an  Orton-Gillingham practitioner, & a Gifted/ Talented teacher. I’ve been working in Elementary & Early Childhood classrooms since 2001, in both public & private schools. I’ve taught Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten, 1st Grade, 2nd Grade, 3rd Grade, & 4th Grade (& tennis too). Although I love working with children of all ages, kindergarten has a special place in my heart. I was a kindergarten teacher for 11 years! I also supervised undergraduate student teachers during my time in Texas (yee haw!).

 

Being a Learner

I earned a M.Ed. in Language & Literacy Studies (Curriculum & Instruction) and became a Certified Reading Specialist in TX at The University of Texas in Austin (Hook ’em!) in 2016. I also earned a M.A. in Early Childhood Education from Kean University (Go Cougars!) and a B.A. in Psychology & English from Muhlenberg College (Go Mules!). I became an Orton-Gillingham certified practitioner in 2022. In addition I attended multiple trainings at Columbia University’s Teachers College in Reading & Writing through their Summer Institute. I’ve earned the initial certification in Wilson Reading (18 hours), Gifted & Talented (TX – 30 hours), & am a certified TESOL Rater.